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Monday, November 13, 2017

Calling Captain Nemo

The University of
Rhode Island, the University of Connecticut and the U.S. Navy’s primary builder
of submarines are at the helm of the new National Institute for Undersea
Vehicle Technology.

Established at UConn’s
coastal Avery Point campus, the institute develops the personnel and knowledge
to accelerate critical research of and enhance American dominance in submarine
and other undersea technologies.

The collaboration
among URI, UConn and General Dynamics Electric Boat recognizes the rich history
of the region—a hub for development of the technologies and workforce that
advance the national undersea arsenal.

“The institute will
educate the next generation workforce for the shipbuilding industry
transitioning not only technologies, but a solid knowledge base to advance the
next generation and next platforms of undersea vehicles,” said Shukla.

In a prime location to
pursue Navy-related research and projects, the institute is close to the naval
submarine base in Groton, Conn.; Electric Boat’s facilities in Connecticut and
Rhode Island; the main campuses at URI and UConn; the Naval Undersea Warfare
Center; and the Naval War College. A cooperative research and development
agreement with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Middletown, R.I., bolsters
the institute’s regional importance.

“As Land Grant and Sea
Grant institutions the University of Rhode Island and the University of
Connecticut are uniquely positioned to undertake cutting-edge research, in
collaboration with our close partners, and then assist in the
development of our innovations to improve national and global
security,” said URI President David M. Dooley. “Our universities
are engaged in the scientific exploration of our
oceans and the invention of new undersea technologies
that facilitate the creation of the next generation of undersea
vehicles.”

The shipbuilding
industry in the Northeast is a crucial contributor to the Navy’s undersea
fleet, with expertise in submarines and other vehicles manned and unmanned, and
to technologies that operate underwater, from shallow tidal areas to the deep
ocean.

“This institute will
help industry support the desire to deploy new undersea capabilities more
rapidly,” says Kurt Hesch, chief operating officer at General Dynamics Electric
Boat. “The intellectual horsepower and the state-of-the-art research facilities
at the universities provide the tools necessary to research technologies so
that industry partners can transition them for integration onto undersea
vehicles.”

The institute bolsters
Navy-related research opportunities at URI and UConn. Throughout the past
decade, the universities have pursued more than 140 research projects that
advance the technology and understanding of undersea warfare.

Recent expansion in
global access to technology has threatened American dominance in undersea
warfare. The institute will build upon the experience and expertise of Electric
Boat, URI and UConn to bring promising innovations from the lab to commercial
readiness faster and more cost-effectively, while training the next generation
of engineers and technologists.

As part of the
institute’s efforts, a three-year, $1.3 million Office of Naval Research STEM
grant recently awarded to URI and UConn will boost opportunities that prepare
undergraduates to join the shipbuilding industry.

Many companies in
Connecticut and Rhode Island contribute to the construction of undersea
vehicles and those connections benefit the states’ economies and workforce. The
institute will leverage these major naval resources across southeastern New
England to develop and accelerate the transition of innovative technologies to
the U.S. undersea fleet.

“This initiative
demonstrates the tremendous potential for innovative collaboration not only
between universities, but in partnership with industry leaders and government,”
said UConn President Susan Herbst. “On behalf of UConn, I am very excited that
our institution is a key player in this important work.”

Christenson, of UConn,
agreed: “The institute promotes research on undersea vehicle technology through
a uniquely collaborative approach between the universities and industry,
allowing us to conduct basic and applied research relevant to the Navy and
facilitating rapid technology transition.”

Other URI and UConn
research collaborations with the Navy since 2007 include:

The Connecticut and
Rhode Island congressional delegations have been important advocates for the
institute:

“The institute will
allow the Navy to access the best technical talent in industry and universities
to help build the next generation of undersea warfare systems and
technologies,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the ranking member
of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “We need to make sure that these
kinds of partnerships are well supported and resourced in order to best address
our real national security challenges.”

“I am thrilled that
the University of Rhode Island is taking on a key role in this innovative
regional partnership to pioneer the future of undersea technology,” said U.S.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island. “The institute will provide the
groundwork for creating high-tech jobs, growing our economy and training the
next generation of engineers in Rhode Island.”

“The National
Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology will bring together the
expertise at URI, UCONN, and Electric Boat to ensure our submarine fleet
and undersea vehicles remain robust for years to come,” said
Congressman Jim Langevin of Rhode Island, senior member of the House Armed
Services Committee. “I have fought hard in Congress to ensure
opportunities like this are possible, and I am pleased to see this
valuable partnership come to fruition. The cutting-edge
research performed at these institutions will be pivotal in defining
the next generation of undersea capabilities to protect our nation, and the
collaboration will help develop the next generation of engineers.”

“This groundbreaking
partnership will solidify Connecticut’s role at the helm of the nation’s
shipbuilding industry. The institute will support the building of the
world’s strongest, stealthiest submarines in southeastern Connecticut,
strengthening our nation’s defense, creating jobs and spurring economic
development,” said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut.

“The new National
Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology solidifies Connecticut’s role as the
submarine capital of the world,” says U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, a
member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, which has oversight
of funding decisions pertaining to submarine force and naval programs. “The
Institute will bring UConn’s world-class researchers and Electric Boat’s
first-rate workforce together to help make the next 100 years of Connecticut’s
submarine heritage just as successful as the last.”

“Expanding the size
and capabilities of our submarine forces will require a team effort of the
brightest minds in academia and industry to ensure that our nation retains our
dominance under the seas,” says U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney of Connecticut, ranking
member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, which has
oversight over the submarine force and naval programs. “By linking together
southeastern New England’s leading public universities with Electric Boat, the
Navy and other stakeholders, we can harness and focus the talent of our region
to tackle the more pressing challenges and opportunities for our undersea
forces. I am proud to have worked to help get this initiative off the ground,
and will continue to do all I can to support their efforts in Congress.”